Petal authorities make second arson arrest

A Purvis woman is behind bars
after being arrested Wednesday in connection with an arson case in Forrest
County.

Beverly Hopper, 49, appeared before Petal Municipal Court Judge
George Gunter, where she was denied bond due to the fact of her being a flight
risk. Hopper is the second arrest in the case which dates back to March 26,
2014, involving a Petal residence. Samantha Joyce was arrested in May, and
charged with arson and grand larceny in connection with the incident that
occurred in the 100 block of West 2nd Avenue.

"Arson is on the rise, due to people needing extra money, they
link it to insurance fraud and that type of stuff. I think it is across state
wide, nationally, even nationally," said Petal Fire Department's Marion Sims.

Authorities also stated that the
investigation is still ongoing and more charges and arrests could be possible.